A spokesman for the Department of Health said : “If the result of the referendum were a vote to leave, access to these benefits – such as the European Health Insurance Card – for UK citizens who work, visit or retire to other European countries, is one of the issues that would need to be resolved during the withdrawal process."

It remains to be seen whether Brits lose access to the vital service, but Emma Reynolds, MP for Wolverhampton, told Mirror Online: "The only way to get care in Europe would be to take out costly private insurance.

"British holidaymakers are safer as part of Europe."

However, Maria Caulfield MP said: "It would be outrageous scaremongering to claim British holidaymakers would lose access to European healthcare after we Vote Leave."